You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Cramps cramps everywhere

I am having horrible leg cramps on the fronts of my shins and in my toes when I lay down. I also have bad cramps around the side of my ribcage. That feel like they are pulling my ribs apart. My vitamin levels were all normal except for vit d, but being a nurse I see tons of people with lower vit d than mine who are not having any probs. Suggestions!?!

Good old fashioned quinine water or magnesium? I don't know Bamber, but I have the same problem. You ain't lived until you've had a cramp in the arch of your foot! I even had a cramp once in my knee. This is something I've suffered with forever. Docs used to call it growing pains when I was younger.

Good old fashioned quinine water or magnesium? I don't know Bamber, but I have the same problem. You ain't lived until you've had a cramp in the arch of your foot! I even had a cramp once in my knee. This is something I've suffered with forever. Docs used to call it growing pains when I was younger.

When I was pregnant with my daughter my potassium levels kept plummeting and they couldn't figure out how to get it to hold. My pediatrician walked in and looked at my OBGYN and said "give her some magnesium, it helps the body retain potassium and such". Sure enough it worked like a charm. Over the years I have had issues with my potassium and every time it won't hold I get some magnesium and all is well.

It is worth a shot!

MariSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

The Following User Says Thank You to tgal For This Useful Post:

My daughter's doctor recommended epsom salt baths or a foot soak in epsom salts for the same reason Mari described - it helps get more magnesium into your system. The doctor said magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. Tonic water contains quinine, which helps with cramps, as Manderson said. You can't buy quinine pills in the U.S. anymore, so tonic water is the next best thing.

Maybe see a podiatrist about your foot cramps? Perhaps there is something in your gait for foot/leg structure that is putting stress on your already irritable muscles? Have you tried a muscle relaxant, like Flexeril? My rheumy prescribed it for sleep, so there might be an added benefit there for you if sleep is a problem. I wonder if one of those splints that you can buy OTC for achilles heel would help at night, by keeping your muscle stretched? I get toe and arch cramps and they are no fun.

The rib spasms sound miserable. My husband gets them and his chiropractor says it's from his work - kind of a repetitive motion injury. She gave him stretching exercises that help when he remembers to do them. Maybe a good physical therapist could help you with both problems. Ours uses ultrasound, heat, massage and exercises and we've had good results with various issues.

Lately I have been in horrible pain with muscle spasms due to fibromyalgia. Here is what I learned and do. I talk magnesium, folio acid, and drink tonic water with quinine in it. I also noticed that when my vitamin D is off even a little it makes me cramp. I will use my epsom salts ASAP! Thanks!

I'm another one with severe muscle cramps. My calf muscles are in a constant spasm, and the spasms go up my legs to the thigh muscles, too. The spasms wake me up at night, and sometimes my hubby gets an undeserved kick.
I've been taking potassium and magnesium supplements, and they help a bit. If you take plaquenil, don't take these at the same time! I take the plaq in the morning and the mg just before bed.
Hugs,
Marla